Lawmakers advance 7 gun control bills

DENVER (AP) - Colorado Democrats advanced restrictions on ammunition magazines and expanded background checks as hundreds of gun advocates filled the state Capitol during an intense day in the battle over new firearm laws.

The husband of former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords testified Monday in favor of expanding background checks to include private and online sales. A Senate committee passed the bill on a 3-2 party-line vote.

Giffords, a former Democratic congresswoman from Tucson, Ariz., was wounded in a mass shooting in January 2011 while meeting with constituents.

Car honks blared all day outside as lawmakers discussed seven gun bills. All of them passed by the time debate ended late Monday night.

The bills still need votes by the full Senate, which is controlled by Democrats.

A look at the bills and what they do:

- BACKGROUND CHECKS: House Bill 1229 would add a background-check requirement for many guns sold in private transactions. It passed a Senate committee in a 3-2 party-line vote. The Democratic-sponsored bill has already cleared the House.

- MAGAZINE LIMITS: House Bill 1224 limits gun ammunition magazines to 15 rounds. The Democratic-sponsored bill has cleared the House, and passed Senate Judiciary on a 3-2 party line vote.

- FIREARM BAN FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENDERS: Senate Bill 197 would expand a ban on gun ownership for people convicted of certain domestic-violence offenses. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on a party-line 3-2 vote Monday. One more committee vote awaits before the full Senate considers it.